Team News
Joe Hensey and his Donegal Over 55s hosted Murvagh GC on Sunday afternoon in their Donegal county final first leg.
The Portsalon team managed to get 3.5 matches out of the five played, leaving the tie in the balance for the second leg in two weeks.
Also on Sunday, Cathal Canning's Donegal League team were at home to Strabane in their semi-final first leg. Portsalon took four matches from the five on offer, with the second leg to come in Strabane in a fortnight.

Club Matchplay Final
Best of luck to Patrick McGowan and Justin Green, who will contest this year's Club Matchplay final after seeing off John Shields and Paddy Kelly Jnr respectively in two close semi-final battles.

President's Day
Mae Blaney's big day takes place on Saturday as she hosts her first President's Day. Mae has long been a wonderful ambassador for Portsalon GC and it is fitting that she has become just the second lady member to hold the office of Club President. It's a thoroughly deserved accolade and we wish her well for the big day – fingers crossed she has the same weather contacts as the Lady Captain!

Clubs Results

Wednesday August 20th
Winner: Seanan McAleer ( 8 ) – 41 pts
Runner-up: Ollie O'Dowd (13) – 40 pts BOT
Gross: Cian Harkin (+2) – 38 gross pts
Third: Fionn Robinson (16) – 40 pts

Saturday August 23rd
Winner: Andy Boland (20) – 45 pts
Runner-up: Mick Leonard (12) – 41 pts BOT
Gross: Cian Page (5) – 33 gross pts
Third: Mark Howard (11) – 41 pts

Sunday August 24th
Winner: Brian Haughey (17) – 41 pts BOT
Runner-up: Mark Cohen (19) – 41 pts
Gross: Paul Gallagher (10) – 30 gross pts
Third: Darren Murray (13) – 40 pts

Ladies News

Mae Blaney Presidents Day
Saturday 30th August is the Portsalon Golf Club President’s Day and is the final major of 2025 in the ladies calendar. A packed timesheet for Mae Blaney’s day with ladies and gents both competing for the President’s Prize. A little wind and drizzle has been promised by the forecasters, just to add a little spice to that back 9!
Lady Captain Roisin McCormack and everyone in the ladies branch wish President Mae a most enjoyable day on Saturday.


Donegal Senior Ladies
Portsalon Golf Club hosted the Captain’s Day of the Donegal Ladies Seniors on Monday 25th August. Deirdre Hensey, the 2025 Seniors Captain welcomed everyone to Portsalon Golf Club concluding a summer of great golf throughout the county.

While there were some heavy downpours in the afternoon, the windy conditions throughout the day made it pretty much the same for everyone.
Sheila Doherty of Cruit Island Golf Club emerged as the winner with an excellent 43 points particularly given the conditions of the day.

Weather conditions on a couple of occasions resulted in postponements. As a result, the rescheduled Ballybofey and Stranorlar GC outing will be played on the 8th September.

Weekend Members Competition

The scores over the weekend were incredible with any of them capable of being a winning score on any other weekend.
Taking the podium finish was Claire Ferry with a superb 43 points. A couple of 40 points results didn’t even feature in the prize winners!

Winner – Claire Ferry 43pts
Runner-Up – Noreen McConigley 41pts

​Club News
Lady Captain's Day sparkles in the sun
Huge congrats to Lady Captain Roisin McCormack on a superb day last Saturday. The ladies competing for the main event in their season were treated royally and, with the sun shining and course in superb order, conditions were perfect. Roisin could scarcely have asked for things to go any better, but better they were to get as her husband Aodh put together a winning score of 46 points to claim the Lady Captain's Prize to the Gents and make it a day not to be forgotten for the family! Well done all and good luck for the remainder of the year to our Lady Captain.

Dad's Army on the march this weekend
Joe Hensey is busy drawing the battle lines and sharpening the tactical manoeuvres as his Donegal Over 55s team prepare for the first leg of their county decider against Murvagh in Portsalon. Joe and his team were pipped at the post a year ago by Cloughaneely but have redoubled their efforts and find themselves back once again in front of the final hurdle. Best of luck Captain Joe and team!
Also on Sunday, Cathal Canning's Donegal League side are facing Strabane in the first leg of their semi-final.
Both matches are taking place in Portsalon. The Donegal League tees off at 1.00pm and the Over 55s at 2.00pm. A fascinating day of golf in store and all support will be welcomed for the teams in yellow and black!

Club Results
Wednesday August 13th
Winner: Cathal Roarty (17) – 41 pts
Runner-up: Pauric Morrison (11) – 40 pts
Gross: Kevin Hensey (3) – 37 gross pts
Third: Bernard McGettigan (24) – 39 pts

Saturday August 16th – Roisin McCormack's Lady Captain's Prize to the gents
Winner: Aodh McCormack (21) – 44pts
Runner-up: Enda Cullen (11) – 41pts
Gross: Christopher Duffy (1) – 36 gross pts
Third: Sean Barrett (23) – 40 pts
Front 9: Johnny Strain (26) – 22pts
Back 9: Charlie McFadden (28) – 24 pts
Secret Hole: Jackie Barrett

Sunday August 17th
Winner: Stephen O'Connor (16) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Declan Martin (23) – 39 pts BOT
Gross: Kevin McGonagle (6) – 33 pts
Third: Shaun Strain (9) – 39 pts

Ladies News

Lady Captain Roisin McCormack’s Day
It was a glorious day from the start! While the greens were a little fast for some people, they did not present any problems for Anne Speedie who lifted Portsalon Golf Club’s 2025 Lady Captain’s Prize on Saturday night. As she said in her speech, it’s not often she goes to the first tee in such relaxed form! Maybe that’s all that was needed, as it was 1978 when she last won a Lady Captain’s Prize!
Of course, that could be down to the wonderful spread of home bakes and teas the ladies were treated to, before starting their round. Mary Barrett, the Lady Captain’s mother had been a little busy and maybe had a bit of help from Jackie himself getting the scones, breads and cakes baked.

As the ladies finished their rounds, they were greeted by the Prosecco Table where they could sit, chill with a little glass of bubbly and enjoy the dazzling views of the 1st hole and Ballymastocker Beach.

As is tradition, the MC for the night was Lady Vice Captain Frances Shannon who did exceptionally well getting through the announcements. Mr Captain Brendan Cullen, in his remarks congratulated Lady Captain Roisin on her commitment and dedicated service to Portsalon over many years.
President Mae Blaney also spoke of Roisin’s dedication to the club having served previously as a Lady Captain.
Roisin spoke warmly of her family’s love of Portsalon and her parents Jackie and Mary are still active members. All her siblings play golf and so the joy the game has brought to the McCormack family cannot be underestimated.
It was a family affair at the presentation with the mens prize going to the Lady captain’s husband Aodh. It was his first time to lift the main prize on a Captain’s Day, so it was fitting that it was on such a special day for his family!

Great music and dancing followed the presentation and thankfully the strength was there after the delicious meal served earlier in the restaurant!

Results :
Lady Captain’s Prize

Winner – Anne Speedie 44 pts
Runner-Up – Judith Watt 40 pts
Gross – Claire McGonagle 34 gross pts
3rd – Karen McGlinchey 38pts Bot
4th Moira McGee 38 pts
5th Vera Kearney 35 pts Bot
Committee Mary Barrett 34 pts Bot
Past Captains Sheila Horner 34 pts Bot
6th Dana Clinton 35pts
7th Marian Overend 34 pts Bot
Front 9 – Deirdre Hensey 19 pts
Back 9 Aedeen Conway 19 pts
Nearest the Pin – 16th Hole – Noreen McConigley
Longest Drive – 9th Hole – Claire McGonagle
Beginner Lady – Jenny Black 20pts


Lady Captain’s Guests
Ladies
Winner – Orla Gallagher 39 pts
Runner – Up Madge Kelly 36 pts

Gents
Winner – John Boyce 40 pts
Runner – Up Shane Sweeney 36 pts

Mrs Mae Blaney, President’s Day


The 30th August is the date set for Presidents Day and we will all be crossing our fingers for the current heatwave to linger on for another little while!


Sunday Members


What an incredible score from Hilary Thompson the day after Lady Captain’s Day! She has proved that you must take the good golf when it presents itself, as it cannot be switched on and off! It was a dream round for Hilary with 7 pars and a birdie on the 16th!

Winner – Hilary Thompson 46 pts
Runner – Up Aedeen Conway 38 pts

Club News
Portsalon teams progress in Donegal championships

Congratulations to Joe Hensey and Cathal Canning as they oversaw wins for their Over 55s and Donegal League teams across the weekend.
The Dad's Army selection had no problems following the orders sent down by Captain Hensey on Saturday as they completed a comprehensive success against neighbours Rosapenna.
After taking three matches from their trip to Downings in July, the Seniors Matchplay operatives were in a commanding position for the second leg.
Things were tight on the frontline for them, with both of the first pairings getting half matches, but a strong platoon were following and handsome wins for Alistair Rodger and Brian Devlin (5&4), John Logue and Enda Cullen (5&4) and Paul Armstrong and Dermot Boyce (5&4) meant the Portsalon bomb squad marched on.
They will face Murvagh or Ballybofey & Stranorlar in the final as they look to go one step further than last year's final defeat to Cloughaneely. Good luck to Joe and team in the final.

Cathal Canning's Donegal League team are the defending champions and they overturned their quarter-final deficit against Bundoran on Sunday to set up a last-four contest against Strabane.
Trailing by 3.5 to 1.5 from the first leg, Cathal's team got the 3.5 matches needed and a sufficient holes cushion to see the remaining game on the course halted.
Michael Campbell and Shane Magee were denied a win by a closing birdie from Bundoran on the 18th green as match one ended all-square.
There were wins for the impressive pairing of Jack Friel and Kevin Boyce (6&5), Patrick McGowan and Alistair Rodger (5&4) and Enda McElhinney and Donal Callaghan Jr (6&5), while Davitt Walsh and Eamonn McConigley saw their duel with a strong Bundoran pairing called in after 15 holes with the match all-square after the Portsalon advantage on holes became unassailable.

Lady Captain's Day this Saturday
Lady Captain Roisin McCormack hosts her big day this coming Saturday, August 16th. Selected times for the gents can be booked via BRS. Best wishes to Roisin for her day and the ladies competing for the Major prize of the summer.

Club Results
Saturday August 9th
Winner: Adam Duncan (13) – 37 pts
Runner-up: Tiernan McElwee (27) – 36 pts BOT
Gross: Cian Harkin (+1) – 34 gross pts
Third: Eoin Deeney (23) – 36 pts
Sunday August 10th
Winner: James Travers (32) – 46 pts
Runner-up: Gary McBride (15) – 42 pts
Gross: Enda Cullen (11) – 31 gross pts
Third: Mark Bolton (26) – 40 

Ladies News

Lady Captain’s Day

Lady Vice-Captain Frances Shannon on behalf of the ladies committee, and ladies branch sends good wishes to Lady Captain Roisin McCormack for an enjoyable day on Saturday 16th August. This is Roisin’s second occasion in the role of Portsalon Lady Captain, and she has once again served with distinction.
Met Eireann have even facilitated with a promise of good weather for the full timesheet on the day! The draw has been done, and players can check BRS for their tee times.
Tea, coffee and scones will be served in the clubhouse from 10am and ladies are asked to arrive 30 minutes before their tee times.
Lady Captain’s Day is the biggest event in the ladie’s golf calendar, and we are all looking forward to a wonderful day.

Portsalon Winter Links
The Portsalon Ladies Winter Links starts on Thursday 25th Sept 2025 and is held on the last Thursday of each month, except for December. It will conclude with Captain’s Day on Thursday 26th March 2026.
Links Membership joining fee is €10.
Competition Entry Fee and this includes 2’s : €20 visitors and €10 members
The BRS timesheet will open 7 days in advance of each event for all players.
Book online – https://visitors.brsgolf.com/portsalon#/open-competitions
Or contact the club on 074 915 9459 from this time to book.

Weekend Results

It is no surprise to see these ladies feature once again in the winner’s enclosure and both will have their eyes on the big weekend ahead!

Winner- Deirdre O’Toole – 39pts
Runner-Up – Deirdre Hensey – 36pts

Club News
McAleer win Charlie Canning Memorial Trophy
The prestigious Charlie Canning Memorial Trophy was held on Saturday as the Canning family once more put on a superb day of golf in memory of our former Portsalon greenkeeper.
With the busy August Bank Holiday in full swing, it was a large turnout and Padraig McAleer emerged as the winner with a stunning tally of 46 points.
His round included nine pars alongside birdies on the 8th and 17th holes and that was enough to ease him home two points in front of Dean Doherty.
Jack Friel picked up the gross prize with an exceptional round of 71 blow, going around in one-under par, while the ladies prize went to Moira McGee.
Thanks once again to the Canning Family for their continuing commitment to hosting this event in memory of Charlie each year, it has become a staple on the Portsalon calendar.

Charlie Canning Memorial Trophy Results
Winner: Padraig McAleer (17) – 46 pts
Runner-up: Dean Doherty (32) – 44 pts
Gross: Jack Friel (5) – 37 pts
Third: Chuck McTaggart (12) – 44 pts
Best Lady: Moira McGee (24) – 39 pts
First Nine: Daniel Shields (7) – 22 pts
Second Nine: Charlie McCahill (22) – 24 pts

Barton Cup glory for Sean Barrett
Sean Barrett was always considered good under a high ball in his day on the football fields and he proved that he could handle the toughest of conditions on Bank Holiday Monday to win the famous Barton Cup Trophy at Portsalon.
Sean was the second-best qualifier over the Barton Nine on Monday morning to make it into the quarter-finals. There he took out young Dan Martin before turning his sights on former Barton Cup champ Rory McGettigan, who had taken the scalp of Paul Whorton in the last eight.
In the bottom half of the draw, Daniel Shields saw off Brian McAleer, while club captain Brendan Cullen was defeated by Noel McCormick – another previous Barton Cup hero.
Both the former winners bowed out in the semi-finals, leaving the all-Milford pairing of Sean Barrett and Daniel Shields to battle it out. Some exceptionally good golf was played by both men in difficult conditions but it was Sean that emerged on top to claim the famous trophy.

Sunday August 3rd
Winner: Eoin O'Donnell (23) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Ray Devenney (16) – 39 pts
Gross: Shaun Strain (9) – 26 gross pts
Third: James Duffy (20) – 39 pts

Ladies News

Portsalon Mixed Team
It was a valiant effort by the Portsalon team in the semi-final of the Ulster North Flogas Mixed Competition against a very strong Moyola Golf Club as they bowed out of the tournament on Sunday 3rd August. Best wishes to Moyola as they progress to the final.
Many thanks to everyone on the Panel who made themselves available, gave of their time and travelled to the various venues for their matches. Thanks especially to Eamonn (Beck) McConigley for all his work in organising matches and teams.

Lady Captain’s Day
Lady Captain Roisin McCormack wishes to remind ladies the 10th of August is the last day to get your name on the sheet to play on Lady Captain’s Day. 3 qualifying cards are required, but there is a non-qualifiers section also, so there’s something for everyone!